DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sasjm.2026.v12i04.001

Pages: 246-248

Severe hypertension when encountered in primary care requires accurate assessment and classification, and a systematic work-through of guidelines, as it determines the need for immediate referral versus following up with a primary care physician. Here we discuss a 35-year-old male presenting with a complaint of general fatigue. On nurse assessment, he was found to have an elevated blood pressure of 195/115 mmHg and he reported no previous history of diagnosed hypertension or any previous treatment for raised blood pressure. On examination, he had no signs of end organ damage. After a brief period of observation, his BP remained above accepted limits for severe hypertension and a short-acting agent was administered. His BP reduced and he was discharged on long-term anti-hypertensive medication with a review with his primary care physician within 1 week.